Marking tag strip



Dec. 14, 1954 F. RIEGER MARKING TAG STRIP Filed June 15, 1949 J..DOE CO. J. DOE CO.

nited StateS MARKING TAGV STRIP Frederic L. Rieger, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The Monarch Marking System Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application June 13, 1949, serial No. 98,715

s claims. (ci. zs1s)'l Letters Patents Numbers 2,328,934 and 2,372,460 modified by a new cut-off knife which is disclosed in my copending application for a Tag Marking Machine Cutoff` Knife, Serial Number 98,269, filed Iune 10, 1949, now Patent No. 2,586,383.

In these machines the tag strip is advanced intermittently across a table to a station Where the tags are printed and then severed from the strip. The advancing motion 1s imparted to the strip by feed fingers which engage in notches in the strip. The machines arecyclic in nature with all of the parts functioning in set sequence. In each cycle there is an advance, a printing and a cut-off. Heretofore, these machines could operate only on single width tags because of the cyclic cut-ofi. A

double tag having two panels could be printed properly, that is, each panel could be impressed but there was no way to arrange the cut-off operation to occur only between complete tags without making extensive and elaborate changes in the driving mechanism. The new tag strips provided here and the cut-off knife of ,myV above 'nentioned copending application have solved this prob- The tag strips of this invention are all designed on a basic pattern, the common denominator of the family, which is adapted to the operating functions of conventional marking machines modified by the cut-ofi knife referred to above. The family includes practically all of the desirable tag forms. Not only doesit include single width tags of different sizes and double panel tags n but it also includes multiple panel tags, tags with one or more tear-out panels, and grouped combinations of multiple and Single panel tags. A strip of any one of these different tag forms may be fed through the marking machine without it being necessary to make adjustments or change the setting of any of the parts in changing from one form of strip to another. VThus, a marking machines utility is greatly increased. Where in the past it was necessary to provide different machines for the different tags, with the present invention one machine can be used for marking all forms of tags.

In the preferred embodiment, eachk strip has a plurality of equally spaced feed finger notches cut through the material of the strip in a band extending longitudinally of the strip. In a strip of single panel tags these notches are between tags. In a strip of multiple panel tags, these notches are between panels as well as between complete tags. In the feeding operation, since the machines are designed to advance the strip a notch at a time, each panel is presented at the printing station where it is impressed with the marking data. Thus, every panel carries the same data and the tear-out panels of those strips having them, which are designed to be torn from the tags when the goods to which the tags are affixed are sold, provide complete records of the goods sold for inventory and the like purposes.

In strip form, the tags lie side by side, that is, they extend transversely of the strip. The tags are separated at the edges of the strip by pairs lof aligned slots that are cut into the opposite margins ofthe strip. kOn the lone edge of the strip each tag has a header portion de- Patented Dec. 14, 1954 Vof each tag are defined one from the other by a score along a line from the header to the edge of the strip opposite the header. This score is broken by the feed finger notch between the panels.

Each strip has two or more zones extending longitudinally of the strip across the panels in which the material of the strip is continuous for the entire length. The continuity of the material in these zones provides strength to resist .breakage of the strip. This is' a rather important feature, because, during the step by step advance of the strip through the marking machine, the movement of the strip is intermittent, with the maximum stress being put on the strip at the start of an advancing step. inasmuch as the strip is usually fed into the machine from a spool, the inertia of the spool must also be overcome with each advance, thus adding to the drag on the strip. In the improved strip the feed finger notches are positioned between two of these continuous zones so that the stress of the feed fingers is carried by them;

The strips may be provided in different widths but in either the wide or the narrow strips, the longitudinal line of the feed finger notches is well within the bounds of the strip so that the tension forces on the strip during the feeding operation are distributed to both, or in the instance of a wider strip, to three continuous bands of material. The feed finger notches, being relatively narrow, do not weaken the strip appreciably at the score lines, and thus, there is little possibility of the strip breaking at thesetlines during the initial strip fabrication or during subsequent use of the strip in a marking machine.

When the improved strip is operated on by the cutoff knife the material within the above mentioned longitudinal zones at the score lines between panels and between the individual tags is cut out. Thus, where these zones cross the score lines, that is, along the lines between panels, a substantial amount of material is removed and after a tag has been printed and dispensed from the marking machine the tear-out panels may be torn from the body ofthe tag very easily. The cut-off knife is of the shear type, having a flat lower cutting edge rather than a sharpened edge. The cutting edge is broken into shearing sections corresponding to the spacing and number of the longitudinal zones. The slots between tags, and the feed finger notches are as wide as the blade so that after a cut-off operation all of the connecting material between individual tags is removed, leaving smooth edges for `the tags. Also after a cut-ofi operation the feed finger notches on the score lines between sections are lengthened to a substantially long slot extending from the header to within a short distance of the lower marginal edge of the tag, leaving only a marginal connection at this edge between the panels. These severed tags have an advantage over tags provided heretofore, in that the tear-out panels can be removed with a snap-like mov tion, breaking off cleanly, without the danger of either the header or other panel of the tag being torn.

There is a further advantage, however, the long slot is cut in the body of the tag without disturbing the c onnection of the material at the lower margin of the panels. Thus, when a tag is attached to goods, the continuous lower margin insures that the lower edge of the tear-out panel does not catch on obstructions and be inadvertently torn from the tag.

There is another feature in regard to the configuration of the strip along the transverse score lines. Since the cut-off knife shears the strip only in those places defined by the above mentioned longitudinal zones, it follows that along these score lines the cut is broken. The inventor provides small apertures or perforations to define the ends of the cuts of the knife where it pierces the scored lines. This results in rounded ends for the slots, adding considerably to the appearance of the tags after they are dispensed from the marking machine. These holes do not detract appreciably from the strength of the strip, inasmuch as they are small and are spaced.

' summarizing briefly, the new tag strip includes the following features: first, the zones in which the material of the strip is continuous; second, the positioning ofthe equally spaced feed finger notches in the longitudinal band the feed finger notches on the score lines between sections,

plus their advantageous changed form after beingv severed from the strip; fourth, the use of feed finger notches and slots between the tags vthat are `as wide as the .cut-off knife blade so that smooth edges arel provided -between tags after the cut-.off operation,.and sothat thenotches between sections are in effect elongated by the ycut-off operation; fifth, the transverse disposition of thesections or panels relative to the marginal header portion; and sixth, the small holes or perforations defining lthexends of the cuts where the knife pierces the 'scored lines.,

These features and others, whichl will be readily apparent from the description of the drawings,provide,a tag strip having manyadvantages, thm-foremost being that strips made in accordance with thepresent disclosure may include grouped combination of different tagsgindividual multi-section tags, or any combination oftags lthat is desirable. Further, thesedifferenttypes of tags may be used in conventional'marking machines without extensive adjustments or changes in the machine other than the mere substitution for the conventional knife of a knife of the type disclosed in the abovel mentioned copending application.

Examples of different types of tag strips .which may'be `fabricated by using the principles/of ,thev present 'invention are disclosed in the following detailed description of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a tag after beingseveredfrom theimproved tag strip.

Figure 2 is a portion of av tag strip embodying vthe present invention.

Figure 3, which is enclosed in a bracket, showsv a tagV strip made in accordancewith the present invention,

a cut-olf knife of the type whichmay be utilizeddin com nection with the strip,` anda tag severed from Vthe strip. In this view the knife is turned at right anglestoits normal cutting plane to illustrate diagrammaticaily 4thelrnanner in which the knife acts upon the strip.k f Figure 4 shows a multi-,sectiontag ofzslightly different orm.

Figure 5 illustrates astrip of tags ofthe type shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 `shows a modified form oftheimproyed tag strip in which a group of tags is repeatedthroughout,the

length of the strip.

In general, each tag of thestrips `shownin the drawings includes a header portion 10, which may -carry a company narne, and the fastening means 11,fo`r securing the tags to the articles to be marked. In this disclosure string-tags are shown but it will ybe obvious that .other types of fastening means may beutilized withfthese strips, e. g., staples, pins, clips or thelike.

Referring now to Figures v1 and 2', this particular tag strip includes three longitudinal zones 12, 13 and 14,in which the material of Vthe strip is continuous throughout its length. In the strip, Figure'2.y a plurality of equally spaced feed finger notches 15 is provided. These notches are spaced longitudinally of Vthe strip in a band between the upper two longitudinal zones 12 and 13. f Thus, in the feeding operation the pulling force of the feed fingers is distributed to the continuous zones of material.

In the marking machines to which the present tag strip is adaptable the feed vfingers A(not shown) are mounted in a carriage which reciprocates in timed sequenceas part of the complete operating cycle, advancing ,the strip in steps from notch `to notch. As each section of the strip comes under a printing head the headlowers and prints the strip with the characters carried in a type chase. Thus, every panel or section between .two feed finger notches is impressed.

Where the respective longitudinal zones 12,-13 and 1.4 joinindividual tickets of the strip, the necks of material 16, 17 and 18 respectively are provided. These necks are dened, in order from vthe'header margin -to thejlower margin, by upper marginal slot 19, feed finger notch 15, a notch or slot 21 and a lower marginal slot 22.` It will bernoted that ythese slots and notches are of `thesarne width, this width being' that of the cut-off knife, indicated generally at 23, in Figure 3, so thatwhen the `knife descends between individual tickets thethreenecks' 16, ,17 :and'l are completely removed leaving smooth vside edges, 24 and 25 for the severed tag as shown in Figure 1. i

Referring 'now'pto the .tag inFigurel, ytwo panels or sections gareprovided, one of these indicated .by :2651s integral with the header portion 10, the other, indicated by 27, is defined by the score line 28. Both panels depend from"Y theY header v10 ndwith respect to the strip extend transversely thereof. The panels 27 in the strip form are defined not only by the score lines 28, but also by the equally spaced feed finger notches 1S. Also along the transverse portion of the score line 28, between sections, small round apertures or perforations 30 are provided. Each one of these vaperturesdefines terminal point for the cut made by the knife 23 when it descends between `the panels.-A Thus, as shown in Figure 2, one of these Hperforations'is at, the inner` corner of the panel 27, another at the lower side of the zone 13, and two others at both sides of the zone 14. When the knife operates on the strip betweenpanels all of the material withinthe three zones is severed to theWidth of thefeed finger notch 15. Therefore, with this particular type tag strip, when an individual tag is severed7 the feed finger notch 15 is in effect lengthenedto include the twoperforations 30-30 at the respective outer. edges of 'the zones 12 and 13 to provide the long slot `31. At` this Sametime, thematerial within Zone-14 is also severed to provide .the shorter slot 32.- These` two slots 31 -and 32, being aligned, Yweaken the joint between thetwo sections of the tag considerably and by placingones thumb in the position shown diagrammatically at 33, the panel 27 may be removed with a snaplike motion severingthev panel cleanly rvfrom the body of tie tag.

Figure 3 illustrates diagrammatically the -manner in whichthe tag strip is'operated on by the cut-offknife 23;

v:12 and y13, it will be observed, outline two cutting edges 34 and 35 on the `knife v23. Between these two edges 34 and-35 the knife edgev carries a teat 36. Thisl teat has an aligning function which is described in the above mentioned'copending application. It will be noted that the Vtwo cutting edges 34 and 35areangulatedto provide a progressive shearing--action when the; blade descends on the-strip and also that the teat'36 'falls-within the two zones 12 and 13 and enters afeediinger notch 15. This lknife-may be utilized in connection-with any of the tag tstrips shown inthe drawings. When it is being used with the-strips shown in Figures 2, 5 and 6 a third cutting edge V37 cuts the material of the strip within thetthird zone ,14. rlfhisfthird cutting edge isalso'seton an angle lto provide the Vprogressive shearing action. .The edge of the blade ibetween-,the two cutting edges 35 and 37fis notched out as at38 to clear the strip between the two longitudinal zones 13 and 14. vThus,with the narrow strip shown in Figure '3, the lower margin 40 of-the tags are not dis- `turb'ed.- On the wider stripsjfor instance the one shown #in Figure 2, the 4notch 38 falls on the slot 21.between tags `with the cutting'edge 37 cutting out the neck 18 between adjoining tags. When descending on the scored line between panelsyhowevengthe cutting edge 37 takes out the materiallwithin zone j14, wththe notch 38 falling on the lscored line between'the zones 13 and 1,4 `leaving the small neck of material indicated at 41 between the two slots 31 and'32 (Figure l). lOn these wider strips, the shank portion 42-o'f the knife, being recessed from the respective cutting edges, clears. the lower margins of the tagsfto provide the. continuous marginal edges 40.

vvThe tag and strip lshown `in Figures lband 5 include amarginal tear-off panel 43 which is attached to the side of a, double panel tag.. In this strip each complete tag .is defined by the necks of ymaterial`ll6, 17 ,and 18. :Each taggalsoincludes a kneck 44 joining fthe upper end o f themarginal ytear-off strip 43 to the header portion 10. .This particular tag `includes the string fastener 11 butit is centered relative-'to thebody portion tof the double tag only. Thisvstrip, as doeslthe others, .includes the three longitudinal zones, 12, 13 and 14 respectively, in which ythe materialis continuous for `the ,length of the strip. When. the `knife`23 descends on this strip between tags thuetlthree `necks of material areycut out as with the otherwstripsf.describedabove vvHowever,v when :it descendsi-,on .".the` .transverse score liner between the @panels 43 and 27 the two slots 31 and 32 are cut but the connecting neck 44 remains. Also, with this strip it will be noted that the lower marginal edge 40 is undisturbed and ils continuous for the width of the tag across all three pane s.

In Figure 6 a modified form of the tag strip is shown. This particular modification illustrates the manner in which the invention can be utilized to provide tag strips comprising groups or sets of individual tags. One of these sets is indicated at 45 and is embraced by the bracket. This set includes two double panel tags and a single panel tag, the double panel tags being indicated by 46 and 47 respectively, with the single section tag indicated by 48. This set 45 of three tags is repeated throughout the length of the strip. Each of the double section tags of a set are similar to the tag shown in Figure 1 while the single panel tag 48 is plain.

As a slight modification of the strips disclosed here, in the initial fabrication the feed finger notches 15 between panels of the tags may be elongated so as to extend through zone 12 to the headers, taking in the aperture 30 at the inner corners of panels 27. Thus, zone 12 would be broken at the transverse score lines.

The tag strips shown are only representative of the different types of tag strips which may be formed by utilizing the principles of this invention. By applying these principles many other combinations of tag units may be incorporated in a single strip. It will be noted that the different examples in the drawings all include the spaced feed finger notches, the continuous zones, the small perforations on the scored lines, the elongated slot between panels after a tag has been operated on by the knife, and each tag, even after being operated on, has the continuous lower marginal edge 40. The principles disclosed herein may be applied to any number of combinations of tags making up a strip and these tags may be fed through a conventional tag marking machine having a knife similar to the one disclosed by the above mentioned copending application, with each complete tag being dispensed from the machine with the smooth cut edges and the section or panels, no matter how many in each tag, being undisturbed other than having the elongated slots cut in them to facilitate tear-off of the removable panels.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. A marking tag strip comprising a plurality of tags defined by pairs of marginal slots, the respective marginal slots of each pair being aligned transversely of the strip and extending toward one another from opposite sides thereof, each tag having a header portion at one side of the strip with panels extending from the header toward the opposite side of the strip, a plurality of identical and equally spaced feed finger notches cut through the strip, said notches being the same width as said marginal slots and aligned longitudinally of the strip, said notches disposed with anotch between each pair of adjacent tags in transverse alignment with said marginal slots and with a notch between adjacent panels in each of the tags, at least two zones extending longitudinally of the strip contiguous with and at the respective sides of the notches in which the material of the strip is continuous, the zone at the header side of the strip being closely adjacent said header, whereby upon operation on the strip of a cut-off knife designed to remove all of the strip material within said longitudinal zones successively between tags and between panels, the tags are separated and an elongated slot is provided between panels in each tag, said elongated slot extending from the header transversely of the tag toward the side thereof opposite the header.

2. A marking tag strip comprising a plurality of tags defined/by pairs of marginal slots, the respective marginal slots of each pair being aligned transversely of the strip and extending toward one another from opposite sides thereof, each tag having a header portion at one side of the strip with a pair of panels extending from the header toward the opposite side of the strip. said panels being of equal width with one of thern being defined from the other by a score along a line extending transversely of the strip from the edge of the strip opposite the header to the header and one of them being defined from the header by a second score along a line at right angles to the first score from the inner terminus of the first score to an edge of the tag,- a plurality of identical feed finger notches cut through the strip within a band extending longitudinally of the strip, said notches disposed with a notch between each pair of adjacent tags in transverse alignment with said marginal slots and with a notch between the panels of each tag, said notches being as wide as said marginal slots, and at least two zones extending longitudinally of the strip across the panels and contiguous with the notches in which the material of the strip is continuous, the zone of the two said longitudinal zones which is nearer the header side of the strip being closely adjacent said second score.

3. A marking tag strip comprising a plurality of tags defined by pairs of marginal slots, the respective marginal slots of each pair being aligned transversely of the strip and extending toward one another from opposite sides thereof, each tag having a header portion at one side of the strip with a pair of panels extending from the header toward the opposite side of the strip, said panels being of equal width with one of them being defined from the other by a score along a line extending transversely of the strip from the edge of the strip opposite the header to the header and one of them being defined from the header by a second score along a line at right angles to the first score from the inner terminus of the first score to an edge of the tag, a plurality of identical feed finger notches cut through the strip within a band extending longitudinally of the strip, said notches disposed with a notch between adjacent panels in each tag and a notch between each pair of adjacent tags, at least two zones extending longitudinally of the strip across' the panels at the respective sides and contiguous with said band in which the material of the strip is continuous, the zone at the header side of the band being closely adjacent said second score whereby upon operation on the strip of a cut-off knife designed to remove all of the strip material within said longitudinal zones successively between tags and between panels, said tags are separated and an elongated slot is provided between panels in each tag, said elongated slot extending from the header transversely of the tag.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 526,590 Terril Sept. 25, 1894 1,478,130 Marsh Dec. 18, 1923 1,486,317 Barry Mar. l1, 1924 2,121,865 Flood June 28, 1938 2,538,927 Truitt Ian. 23, 1951 

